The Israeli spy Eli Cohen is hanged in Damascus – 26 January 1965 : The government of Syria arrests 63 members of an Israeli spy network.
After enduring torture in the “Maza” jail in Damascus and a short showcase trial, the Israeli spy Eli Cohen is hanged in the El Marja square in Damascus. All efforts made by Israel to convince Syria to overturn the verdict and let Eli Cohen go in exchange for Syrian captives failed. The Syrians also rejected begs for mercy from different countries, as well as from the pope himself. Ten days after his trial, many residents of Damascus gathered to watch the hanging of the Israeli spy. Cohen, who was born in Egypt, was recruited by the Mossad and for three years operated in Syria under the pseudonym Kamel Amin Tabat. He successfully befriended Syrian officials. Cohen transferred information to Israel from his apartment, which was located near the Syrian General Staff base in Damascus. He was caught after arousing the suspicion of the Syrian intelligence services and was recognized by a Damascus resident as a Jew who was born in Cairo. Eli Cohen is believed to have penetrated deep into the heart of an Arab government. Syria still refuses to transfer his bones for burial in Israel. He left a wife and three daughters behind.
Bernd Pulch 